THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 



197 



Abyilinian clergy ; and the Abuna being now arrived, the 

 king defired of him liberty to read that book, which he re- 

 futing, put the young king into fo violent a paffion that he 

 called the Abuna Mahometan and Infidel to his face. 



Things growing worfe and worfe between the Portu- 

 guefe and Abyflinians, by the incendiary fpirit of the bru- 

 tifh. Bermudes, from reproaches they came to blows ; and 

 this proceeded fo far, that the Portuguefe one night affault- 

 ed the king's tent, where they flew fome, and grievoufly 

 wounded others. Upon this, the king, defirous to eflrange 

 him a little from the Portuguefe, fent Bermudes to -the coun- 

 try of the Gafats, where he gave him large appointments, 

 in hopes that the natural turbulence of his temper would 

 involve him in fome difficulties. And there he ftaid feven 

 months, opprelfing the poor ignorant people, and frighten- 

 ing them with the noife of his fire-arms. During this period, 

 the king went on. an expedition againft the Galla; Bermu- 

 des then returned to court, where he found that Arius Dias 

 was dead, and a great many of the Portuguefe very well at- 

 tached to the king. But he began his old work of difiei> 

 tion, infomuch that the king determined to banifh him to 

 a mountain. for life.:. 



Gaspar de Suza now commanded the Portuguefe inftead 

 of Arius Dias, a man equally beloved by his own nation and 

 the king. By his perfuafions, and that of Kafmati Robel, 

 the banifhment to the mountain was laid afide ; but Bermu- 

 des was privately perfuaded to embark for India while it 

 was yet time ; and accordingly he repaired to Dobarwa, 

 where he remained two years, as it fhould feem, perfectly 

 quiet, negle&edjjmd forlorn ; faying daily mafs to ten Poiv 



tuguefe 



